Penticton single dad frustrated with lack of change tables in public washrooms

By Steve Arstad

Penticton resident Kyle Bachmann finds there is a lack of baby change table facilities in the city's public buildings and in local restaurants for single parent dads like himself.

(STEVE ARSTAD /InfoTel Multimedia)

May 18, 2016 - 8:30 AM

PENTICTON - A Penticton man would like to see some equality when it comes to placing baby change tables in public washrooms.

Kyle Bachmann is a single dad who is frustrated by the lack of baby change table facilities in many of the city’s public washrooms.

“Hardly any of the men’s washrooms have change tables for men with kids. I’ve had to change my son on the floor in many cases,” Bachmann says, adding a comment he posted to the Facebook resulted in a large number of commenters agreeing with him.

Bachmann says he comes across the problem almost every time he goes out with his young son.

“The washrooms at Cherry Lane mall have family restrooms that are used by people who don’t even have kids,” he says, adding they are often in there for long periods of time as well.

Bachmann says he takes a blanket with him when he goes out, but would like to see more effort made in the city to install a baby change table in men’s rooms.

“Not even the library has one,” he says.

Penticton Communications Officer Tina Lee says she saw Bachmann’s Facebook posting and thinks it is a good direction in which to aim city policy. Lee says the city currently provides change tables in unisex washrooms in city-owned facilities, but there is no provision for older buildings without dual washrooms.

Lee says she appreciates Bachmann’s concerns and consideration will be given to his comments when the city reviews its policies.

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